Seventy-nine military medical beneficiaries infected with human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV+) and 27 HIV-seronegative control subjects
(HIV-) completed a neuropsychological evaluation and a semistructured
interview inquiring about difficulties in function. More HIV+ than HIV-
subjects reported difficulties. HIV+ subjects reporting difficulties were
significantly more likely to be deficient on attention, response speed,
motor function, and memory than those not reporting difficulties. Findings
for early-stage HIV+ subjects were similar. HIV+ individuals who complained
of difficulties reported depression and anxiety symptoms significantly more
frequently than those who did not complain, but these symptoms were not
related to neuropsychological performance. Complaints of difficulties by
HIV+ individuals may reflect either actual neuropsychological deficiency or
mood disturbance, but the effects of each appear to be independent.Abstract Teaser